Project Cure CRC, the dynamic research initiative by the leading nonprofit Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance), has awarded five new grants to advance urgent science in the colorectal cancer (CRC) space. To date, Project Cure CRC has received more than 400 research proposals and has invested almost $12 million in innovative colorectal cancer studies, with 29 grants funded. Project Cure CRC aims to accelerate and advance cutting-edge treatments to improve patient outcomes. As the largest nonprofit dedicated to ending this disease, the Alliance is prioritizing the initiative to help fill gaps from recent research funding cuts in the U.S.
“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and incidence is rising in young adults,” said John Marshall, M.D., Chief Medical Consultant, Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Director, Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University. “Research is critical to better understanding the rise in CRC cases, discovering advancements in care and overcoming this disease.”
Recipients of the most recent Project Cure CRC grants totaling more than $1.3 million include investigators from Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University, Indiana University and John Hopkins University School of Medicine. Researchers will focus on various topics in colorectal cancer including:
- Lisa Mielke, Ph.D., Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University – New Immunotherapies Targeting Gamma Delta T cells in Colorectal Cancer ($310,000)
- Heather O’Hagan, Ph.D., Indiana University – Therapeutic Targeting of the Tumor Stroma to Improve Therapy Response in BRAFV600E Colorectal Cancer ($210,000)
- Eric Christenson, M.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine –Leveraging Circulating Tumor DNA and Peritoneal FluidT DNA to Improve the Management of Patients with Early Stage Colorectal Cancer ($200,000)
- Aleksander Popel, Ph.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine – Optimization of the Formulation of a Novel Oncolytic Peptide to Treat CRC and Specifically Rectal Cancer ($100,000)
- Bert Vogelstein, M.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine –Johns Hopkins Co-STAR Project Targeting CRC ($500,000)
Colorectal cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women under age 50 in less than five years, yet it is still grossly underfunded. The Alliance is prioritizing Project Cure CRC to end this disease, and is committed to working with experts, industry, and donors to achieve that mission.
The Alliance invites the public, corporations, foundations, and philanthropic individuals to join its mission by contributing to Project Cure CRC.
For more information on Project Cure CRC, to donate, or to learn more about submitting a research proposal, please visit colorectalcancer.org/cure.
Disclosure: This short article was prepared by touchONCOLOGY in collaboration with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance). No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
Cite: Project Cure CRC continues to fuel urgently needed research funding with grants totalling almost $12 million. touchONCOLOGY. July 22nd, 2025
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